Page 42 of Pretty When She Breaks

“It’s late,” I said as we reached the VIP elevator. They were staying on the top floor, in one of our largest suites. My palms felt clammy, but I still managed a smile up at Prince.

He leaned down, capturing me for another kiss, his hands sliding down my back further than I would have liked. “Come up with us.” His lips brushed against my ear, and I took a shuddering inhale that thankfully could have been taken as desire.

“Prince,” Dax cut in. “Not tonight.”

Prince stepped back, a sullen look on his face. “But—” he started, and Dax cut him off with a growl and a glare.

“We have a job to do,” Dax said, and shared a look with Prince.

“Oh yeah, I forgot.” Prince straightened his shoulders and arched an eyebrow. There was a smirk on his face as he turned back to me. “Another night, then?” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I managed a nod, looking back at Dax. He had that amused glint in his eyes as he gave me a nod. To my horror, Madison grabbed my shoulders and pulled me flush against his towering frame. He dragged his neck against my head, scent-marking me, and I let out a choked gasp as he gave my ear a painful nip. His scent spiked, and he chuckled.

My heart was racing and my chest felt tight. I tried not to let anyone scent-mark me; it was too instinctual and deeply personal to be used in casual flirting. I could count on one hand the alphas who had done it to me, and all of them were dead. They’d gotten too possessive of me, not able to tolerate me mixing with other alphas.

“Don’t worry, sweets,” Madison rumbled in my ear. “We won’t forget about you.”

He let me go, and I stumbled back a step, my eyes wide. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.

“Good night,” I said, nodding in the direction of Dax and Prince.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at Madison again. A tremble started as soon as the doors closed, and I wrapped my arms around myself as I sank to the floor. They really meant to claim me, and the thick scent clinging to me was proof they’d fight for it.

TWENTY-TWO

LAUREL

It had taken a while to compose myself, but now I held my head high as I walked confidently into the corridor beneath Ringside. It was absolutely freezing down here, and I’d stopped upstairs for scent dampener but forgot my hoodie. My feet were sore from the uncomfortable shoes, but the alternative was walking barefoot on the concrete floors and likely getting frostbite.

My heart was beating wildly in my chest, as I expected to run into someone at any moment and be questioned about why I was here. But it was late, and all the patrons who used these tunnels had left for the night. I only saw one other person, who didn’t even spare me a glance as we passed.

I forced myself to remain calm, my steps steady. I came to the securement wing and pulled open one of the heavy metal doors. When the doors opened, my stomach turned with nausea as the sounds hit me.

The feral alphas were stripped of all humanity, responding to nothing but their instincts. They ate, slept,fucked, and fought. I could make out snarls and growls, scuffling and sniffing. One time, my father had stuck me in one of the cells down here as punishment, right in the middle of all the ferals. A lot of them had been driven right into a rut.

Sometimes, in my nightmares, I was still in that cage, eyes squeezed shut and ears covered as I tried to pretend I couldn’t hear them trying to get at me.

I steadied myself and looked at the security booth. Lars had gone home for the night, so it was one of his guards on duty, sitting behind the glass at the guard station. I studied the exhausted-looking beta, his body looking comically large hunched over the counter. His security uniform stretched tight over his round belly as he looked up at me with big, brown eyes. He had a round, button-like nose, which scrunched as he took me in. I watched as he scrubbed at his chin, looking nervous. He was cute, in a giant teddy bear kind of way. Soft, perhaps. Lars was likely eating him alive.

“Good evening,” I said, walking up to the booth. He jumped up, big eyes widening in alarm.

“M-Miss Fairchild,” he stammered, taking off his hat to expose his shaved head, “I didn’t know you’d be coming by.”

My heart warmed a bit. People usually just called meduchess. I offered him a smile.

“What can I help you with?” he asked, his eyes still wide. I wondered if that was just his default setting.

“Well.” I peered at his name tag. “Casey. I wanted to check on an alpha that just came down here. See how he’s settling in.”

“Oh,” he said, fiddling with the keys on his belt. “I’m not really supposed to let anyone in after hours.”

My heart sank, but I tried again, looking up at him pleadingly. “Please? I just want to see him for a moment.”

He scrunched his thick lips together and then sighed. “Okay, I guess I can let you in. Just for a moment, though,” he said, and I smiled up at him again.

He came out of the booth and headed to the security door that led to the pens, turning the key and opening the first heavy door.

“Miss? Are you okay?” asked Casey.